Feds issue new guide to evaluating online learning programs

By eSchool News

July 23rd, 2008

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement has released its latest guide in a series of publications highlighting innovations in education. Titled "Evaluating Online Learning: Challenges and Strategies for Success," the new guide is designed as a resource for leaders and evaluators of K–12 online learning programs. It discusses the challenges of evaluating these kinds of programs and features seven examples of evaluations that address a broad spectrum of online learning options, from programs that provide online courses to web sites that feature education resources. These evaluations can serve as models to help school leaders determine whether online programs and resources are performing as promised, while identifying critical areas for improvement, federal officials said.